止まる
tomaruTo come to a stop; to halt.
車が急に止まった。
The car stopped suddenly.
Often used for vehicles, machinery, or actions coming to a halt.
To be blocked or obstructed (e.g., traffic, flow).
道が渋滞で止まっている。
The road is stopped due to traffic congestion.
Can describe physical or metaphorical blockages.
To pause or wait (e.g., time, progress).
時間が止まったように感じた。
I felt like time had stopped.
Used metaphorically for moments of stillness or suspension.
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Intransitive vs. Transitive
Remember that '止まる' is intransitive (e.g., '車が止まる' = 'The car stops'), while '止める' is transitive (e.g., '車を止める' = 'to stop the car').
⚡Gold Rule
Common Usage
'止まる' is often used for natural or automatic stopping, while '止める' is used for deliberate stopping.
📖Word Origin
From the verb '止める' (to stop), with the intransitive form '止まる' indicating something coming to a stop on its own.
📝Usage Notes
'止まる' is intransitive (the subject stops itself), while '止める' is transitive (the subject stops something else).